Canadian government announces new funding to advance clean-fuels sector

Natural Resources Canada announced Jan. 7 over CAD$11 million (USD$7.64 million) in funding to support projects that will advance the technologies needed to further strengthen Canada’s clean-fuels and alternative-fuels sectors.

Of this funding, CAD$5.5 million (USD$3.82 million) was allocated through the Energy Innovation Program, including:

• CAD$2.55 million (USD$1.77 million) to Centre technologique des résidus industriels in Quebec.

• CAD$424,000 (USD$294,441) to PyroGenesis Inc. in Quebec.

• CAD$1.5 million (USD$1.04 million) to CRH Canada Group Inc. in Ontario.

• CAD$1 million (USD$694,455) to Greenfield Global Inc. in Alberta.

Funding is also allocated for clean-energy studies under the Clean Fuels Fund, including:

• CAD$3.52 million (USD$2.44 million) to Atura H2 L.P. in Ontario.

• CAD$2.25 million (USD$1.56 million) to Wanagekong-Biiwega’iganan Clean Energy Corp. in Ontario.

• CAD$92,500 (USD$64,226) to Beausejour Brokenhead Development Corp. in Manitoba.

Projects receiving this funding will help enable the shift to more affordable, lower-carbon fuels in high-emitting sectors such as biomass collection, transportation and processing.

They will also accelerate Canada’s efforts to further develop high-potential alternative energy sources such as hydrogen.

The government said these investments reaffirm its commitment to advancing Canada’s clean-fuels and alternative-fuels sectors, ensuring sustainable economic growth by supporting Canadian energy supply chains, creating jobs in the energy sectors and reducing pollution. 

“Canada has the natural resources, the technologies and the skilled workforce that will enable us to be an energy superpower in a world racing toward lower emissions,” said Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada’s minster of energy and natural resources.

“Low-carbon fuels are a big economic opportunity—they are critical for the future development of key economic sectors including aviation, shipping and heavy industry,” Wilkinson added.

“This federal government is maximizing Canada’s ability to take advantage of the major economic opportunities that are before us,” he said.

Canada’s government is investing nearly CAD$1.8 billion (USD$1.25 billion) to support growing the biofuels industry.

NRCan is delivering on this commitment through the renewal of the CFF announced in the 2024 budget, with CAD$776.3 million (USD$539.18 million) committed between 2024-’25 and 2029-’30 to support clean-fuels projects.